Liverpool Boss Rodgers Confirms Interest In Allen

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that he is interested in Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen, but insists no negotiations have taken place.

Yesterday we reported that Allen's agent confirmed that the player has not handed in a transfer request despite all the rumours suggesting he has.

It's no surprise to see that Brendan Rodgers is targeting the talented young Welshman, despite him and his former club having an agreement that he wouldn't pinch Swansea's players for 12 months.

Rodgers contradicts the agreement and says he'll want to be in the market for some of Swansea's players.

'I have a great relationship with Swansea but if there is a market for any of the players, I would like to be in that market,'

'They respect that. He is a very talented player, which everyone knows, but there is nothing more at the moment. When players come to a club such as Liverpool, it's never straightforward.

'There are always other barriers and difficulties. At this moment, there are ongoing negotiations on a few targets.

'We hope we're close to some deals. I need to evaluate the players we have and assess the squad and bring some in to bring freshness to the group.

'As a manager you want them in sooner rather than later but the main thing is to get them in before the beginning of the season. If we do that, our job will be done.'

The media are also bigging up the possibility of a move to Liverpool for Joe Allen by looking at Michael Laudrup's targets and signings, suggesting he's looking at players who can replace the 22 year old. Jonathan de Guzman has joined on loan while Michu is expected to join, both are attacking midfielders. The media forget that Gylfi Sigurdsson hasn't stayed on permanently and the fact that the new manager may simply want to improve that area of his team.

Further speculation also says that Swansea City will be looking in the region of £15m to persuade them to sell one of their star assets.